EZAM DIPERSOAL

Beberapa hari kebelakangan ini Ezam mendapat perhatian banyak pihak. Setakat ini Mahathir, Rafidah, Hamid Albar sudah pun membebel. Bukan itu sahaja, beberapa pendokong reformasi pula turut mempersoalkan tindakkan Ezam yang disifatkan "cuba meraih simpati" di luar negara. Namun demikian Ezam mengatakan beliau ke sana bukan untuk mencari sokongan atau simpati, tetapi untuk menyatakan kebenaran dan keadilan. Beliau dijemput dan bukannya memohon atau merayu untuk dijemput... (tidak macam Mahathir :) )

Ezam baru pulang dari menghadiri Asia Pacific Young Leader Conference atas jemputan A.S. Sebelum ini A.S. menjemput wakil UMNO sahaja. Ini adalah satu pengiktirafan kepada Barisan Alternatif.

EZAM DIKEHENDAKKI POLIS

Pihak polis sudah lama meminta Ezam hadir melapurkan diri di banyak balai di seluruh negara.

"Saya tidak akan pergi ke balai polis untuk memberi kenyataan,"

"Saya membuat keputusan tidak akan memberikan kerjasama," jelas Ezam pada 20/10/2000.

Polis mempunyai sebab kerana ceramah yang diadakan tidak mendapat permit. Ia dikira menyalahi Seksyen 27 Akta Polis kerana mengadakan perhimpunan di tempat awam tanpa kebenaran polis.

Kerajaan pula nampaknya cuba menggunakan Akta Rahsia Rasmi dan Akta Hasutan. Sewaktu pulang dari A.S. Ezam mencabar Bank Negara untuk menyanggah beberapa kenyataan beliau, antaranya ialah:

"Bahawa Mahathir dan kuncu-kuncu beliau (kira-kira 10 orang) mengeluarkan wang berjumlah 10 billion untuk digunakan bila perlu..."

MENGAPA EZAM PERLU BERSUARA DAN MERANTAU

Ezam menjelaskan beliau menggunakan setiap kesempatan yang ada untuk menyampaikan mesej. Apakah itu satu kesalahan juga? Siapakah lagi yang boleh diharapkan untuk memberi keterangan itu. Tahun ini sahaja pemimpin umno sudah banyak kali keluar negara, termasuk Pak Lah, Rafidah dan Mahathir. Jika ini dibiarkan pelabur hanya mendapat maklumat dekat atau face-to-face sebelah pihak sahaja.

Dengan Ezam merantau (itupun sedikit sahaja) beberapa sesi perjumpaan itu sekurang-kurangnya dapatlah pihak luar berinteraksi dengan pembangkang untuk lebih memahami selok belok politik negara. Kita tidak seharusnya membiarkan pihak luar kempunan ketemu kita kerana media atau internet sahaja tidak mencukupi untuk menyakinkan pelabur antarabangsa.

Tengoklah sahaja ragam pasaran saham BSKL. Ia naik secara tiba-tiba walaupun tiada faktor kukuh yang menyakinkan. Ini menimbulkan pelbagai tandatanya pelabur asing. Ramai yang terkena walaupun mereka agak bijak mengurus dana.

Kata orang: "Rugi sekali ingat bila-bila.."

Kerajaan sendiri sedar pelabur luar lebih mesra Anwar dari mesra Mahathir - ini satu FAKTA yang tiada sesiapa pun dapat menyangkal. Pelabur luar asyik menjadi sasaran kutukan Mahathir sedangkan mereka pun sebenarnya mencari makan juga. Dakwaan mereka memanipulasi pasaran tidak kena kerana sudah menjadi lumrah semua pelabur untuk mencari keuntungan mengikut had dan undang-undang. Siapakah yang mengajak mereka jika tidak negara kita juga....

PELABUR INGINKAN PENJELASAN

Apabila pelabur luar menjemput Ezam atau pihak pembangkang untuk bercerita, ini jelas menunjukkan mereka sudah meragui keterangan media dan kempen kerajaan selama ini. Malah mereka mungkin sudah tidak PERCAYA lagi kepada Mahathir dan orang-orangnya, sebagaimana mereka tidak mempercayai kenaikkan indeks BSKL yang tiba-tiba. Apa yang berlaku kepada Allayarham Jalil Ibrahim serta tekanan dan ugutan terhadap Dr Jomo memburukkan lagi imej pemimpin negara sekarang ini. Jika gambar Mahathir berpeluk dengan Castro diambil kira, kredibiliti negara musnah dan hancur dalam sekelip mata.

Pelbagai tandatanya menghantui pemikiran mereka. Oleh itu mereka ingin mendengar pandangan dari pihak pembangkang pula. Rugilah jika kita mempersiakan kesempatan ini.

JANGAN PINJAM KEKATA UMNO

Kadang-kadang pendokong reformasi sendiri merasa agak kurang senang dengan lawatan pemimpin BA keluar negara. Apa lagi jika lawatan itu dirasakan cuba meraih simpati atau sokongan. Pemimpin BA seharusnya memberi kenyataan segera bila ini berlaku. Sikap Ezam dalam hal ini patut diberi pujian... Beliau membuat satu kenyataan akhbar untuk menjawab pelbagai tohmahan - termasuk juga yang bergema dari dalam.

Seperti biasa umno dan juaknya mahu melukis suasana "pengaruh asing " supaya mereka dapat memberi alasan (lagi)! Secara tidak langsung isu sebenar akan cuba ditenggelamkan.

Saya merasakan ungkapan "meraih simpati" itu kurang wajar dilemparkan kepada Ezam. Ini adalah perang saikologi umno. Kita jangan mudah terpengaruh dengan mereka. Umno sengaja merendahkan perjuangan reformasi dengan pelabgai tuduhan, oleh itu kita jangan terlalu mudah meminjam perkataan jijik mereka.

EZAM DITUDUH BURUKKAN IMEJ NEGARA

Kenyataan media oleh Ezam sudah menjawab semua persoalan. Saya memetik beberapa kerat kenyataan tersebut:

"I was only stating the truth, nothing more."

Sebagai seorang yang cintakan tanah-air, Ezam hanya berkata benar di luar negara, tidak lebih dari itu.

My visits to the United States and to Europe were on invitations by the Malaysian community overseas or by the international communities that wanted to hear an explanation of what was happening in Malaysia. It was not a movement as portrayed by Utusan Malaysia.

"Lawatan saya keluar ke A.S. dan Eropah adalah kerana menghadiri jemputan oleh masyarakat Malaysia di luar negara atau masyarakat antarabangsa yang mahu mendengar beberapa penjelasan apa yang berlaku di Malaysia. Ia bukannya satu gerakan yang dimomokkan oleh Utusan Malaysia"

SIAPA UPAH KUMPULAN JANUS-MERRIT STRATEGIES (JMS)?

Menurut lapuran akhbar, kerajaan bercadang hendak mengambil tindakkan kepada kumpulan pro-reformasi yang mendapatkan khidmat JMS. Dikatakan dalam lapuran TV bahawa JMS dibayar US$50,000 selama 4 bulan untuk cuba melobi kerajaan A.S. supaya mengenakan sekatan dagang terhadap Malaysia. (Mereka mungkin memetik rencana Straits Times Singapore - penulis)

Hasil temubual wartawan FAC dengan JMS - mendapati sanggapan sekatan dagang itu tidak benar. Malah JMS bukan kumpulan lobi. Sebaliknya JMS adalah satu kumpulan konsultan (penasihat) media.

Semasa berita ini ditulis pihak BA menafikan ada mengambil khidmat JMS.

KUMPULAN REFORMASI TIDAK PERLU MELOBI

Berikut adalah satu coretan menarik antara wartawan FAC dengan seorang "pegawai kerajaan A.S.:

"Just look at the recent UN Millennium Conference that Mahathir boycotted. Everyone knows Mahathir boycotted the conference to 'punish' Kofi Annan for meeting Wan Azizah in Warsaw earlier this year. But Mahathir was in the US then. And he met Castro though he would not attend the Conference".

"Do you know the US newspapers carried the photo of Mahathir and Castro hugging and kissing each other on its front pages?" laughed the US 'government man'.

"There were no captions or stories - just the photo of Mahathir and Castro in each other's arms. This was enough for the US people. There was no need to say anything more. And everyone knows Mahathir did this on US soil just to send a message to the US. Does anyone need to do anything anymore to run Mahathir down? He is doing it to himself very well without anyone's help".

"Mengapa penyokong Anwar perlu mendapatkan khidmat pakar profesional untuk menjatuhkan Mahathir? Mahathir sendiri sudah melakukan khidmat itu sendiri dengan amat baik tanpa memerlukan sebarang bantuan pakar."

"Lihat sahaja ketika UN Millennium Conference (UNMC) baru-baru ini. Mahathir memboikot perjumpaan itu. Semua orang tahu Mahathir memboikotnya kerana "hendak mengajar" Kofi Anan yang mengadakan mesyuarat dengan Wan Azizah di Warsaw awal tahun ini. Tetapi Mahathir berada di A.S. ketika UNMC itu. Dan dia menemui Castro (dan berpeluk -penterjemah) walaupun dia tidak menghadiri UNMC."

"Tahukah anda akhbar-akhbar A.S. menyiarkan gambar Mahathir dan Castro berpeluk dan bercium pada muka depan?" jelas "orang kerajaan A.S." itu sambil ketawa.

"Tidak ada cerita atau sebarang tulisan pada gambar itu - hanya foto Mahathir dan Castro berpelukkan sahaja. Ini sudah cukup buat rakyat A.S. Tidak perlu dihuraikan atau diperkatakan apa-apa lagi. Dan semua orang tahu Mahathir melakukan aksi ini di atas bumi A.S. hanya untuk memberi satu mesej kepada A.S. Adakah sesiapa perlu melakukan apa-apa lagi untuk menjatuhkan Mahathir? Dia sendiri sudah melakukannya sendiri tanpa pertolongan orang lain"

Sumber: http://www.freeanwar.com/facnews281000.htm

FAC News
28 October 2000 - 08.30

Ezam Mohd Nor calls for Mahathir's resignation

Ezam Mohd Nor, the Youth Leader of the National Justice Party, reiterated his statement made in a gathering for the "Movement to Reclaim the People's Rights" at Tandop, Alor Setar, on the night of 24 October 2000.

As follows is his statement released to the press on 27 October 2000.

EZAM'S PRESS STATEMENT

When I attended several seminars overseas, I did in fact speak about the injustices and wrongdoing of the present government. I was only stating the truth, nothing more. We must be brave in speaking truthfully, even though it may be bitter.



At every opportunity I was given to speak, I explained in detail the wrongdoing and the corruption of the government of Mahathir Mohamad in fundamental issues such as independence of the judiciary, violation of the media's right to free speech and abolition of legal party rights, in the course of performing the activities of a supposedly democratic country.


The iron grip of the ruling government, especially Mahathir Mohamad on the powers which were supposed to be assigned to enforcement bodies such as the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Attorney-General's Chambers has resulted in widespread corruption and fraud involving the highest officers of the government. This was also another issue which I repeatedly discussed.


The issues that I brought up are issues which need to be discussed inside or outside of the country. As a politician holding office in a legal political party, I have the right to air my opinion to anyone in or outside Malaysia even though it may expose the wrongdoing of a leader like Mahathir Mohamad or his ruling party, Barisan Nasional.


I will defend my right to speak and to tell the truth. Once again, I challenge the Foreign Minister Dato' Syed Hamid Albar or any other government official, even Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia to indict me in any Malaysian or international court, if what I am doing is against the law.



However, I would like to correct the report in Utusan Malaysia today which portrays a false picture of a movement which supposedly is planned by the leadership of the Alternative Front, specifically the National Justice Party that is allegedly trying to discredit the Prime Minister.


My visits to the United States and to Europe were on invitations by the Malaysian community overseas or by the international communities that wanted to hear an explanation of what was happening in Malaysia. It was not a movement as portrayed by Utusan Malaysia.


The support of the people here and internationally for the struggle to uphold justice in Malaysia is encouraging. That is why I have received many invitations to travel overseas and speak about the current state of the country which is increasingly being marginalised by Mahathir Mohamad.


It is true that Mahathir Mohamad is being sidelined internationally. He is now a liability to the nation. The longer he rules, the longer will the country's image decline and this will have a deleterious effect on the pride and the economy of Malaysia.


As the Foreign Minister, Dato' Syed Hamid Albar should cease his wasteful efforts of threatening me. Instead he should be responsible to the people and tell the Prime Minister the damage he is doing to the country. Syed Hamid Albar should tell the Prime Minister to resign to redeem the country's stature in the eyes of the world.

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Sumber: http://www.freeanwar.com/facnews271000.htm

FAC News
27 October 2000 - 09.30

Malaysian Government to "take action" against pro-Anwar supporters

Last night, the Malaysian Government announced it would be taking action against pro-Anwar Ibrahim supporters who had employed the services of a US lobbyist group, Janus-Merritt Strategies (JMS).

In the TV news report, it said that JMS had been employed for USD50,000 for a four-month period to try to get trade sanctions imposed against Malaysia.

FAC News managed to speak to JMS and they deny that they are a lobbyist group. "We are a media consultant company", said a Scott Hoffman, spokesman for JMS. Scott also denies that they are trying to get trade sanctions imposed against Malaysia.

"Most Americans believe that trade sanctions do not work", said Scott. "Just look at Iraq. Trade sanctions against Iraq did not bring Saddam down. It just brought hardship to the Iraqi people. Those who suffer are the babies and children, not the leaders. Why would JMS want to do something that would backfire? We are not stupid."

Another American who had spent some years in Malaysia who FAC News spoke to had this to say. "Trade sanctions would have the reverse effect. Instead of bringing Mahathir down it would give him more sympathy. Trade sanctions would not further the cause of Anwar Ibrahim. It would just give credence to what Mahathir said about Anwar all along - that he is instrumental for Malaysia's economic collapse. And that the US is behind Anwar".

Other US "government people" FAC News spoke to had their own opinions.

"Why would Anwar's supporters need to employ professionals to run Mahathir down? Mahathir is doing this very well on his own without any help from the experts."

He went on to say, "Just look at the recent UN Millennium Conference that Mahathir boycotted. Everyone knows Mahathir boycotted the conference to 'punish' Kofi Annan for meeting Wan Azizah in Warsaw earlier this year. But Mahathir was in the US then. And he met Castro though he would not attend the Conference".

"Do you know the US newspapers carried the photo of Mahathir and Castro hugging and kissing each other on its front pages?" laughed the US 'government man'. "There were no captions or stories - just the photo of Mahathir and Castro in each other's arms. This was enough for the US people. There was no need to say anything more. And everyone knows Mahathir did this on US soil just to send a message to the US. Does anyone need to do anything anymore to run Mahathir down? He is doing it to himself very well without anyone's help".

A banker whom FAC News spoke to was more enlightening, though alarming, in what he had so say. "The Malaysian economy cannot hold anymore. The Malaysian stock market cannot hold either. We can expect bleak days ahead of us. Mahathir says his economic policies work and that Anwar's don't. But what is Mahathir going to say when the economy collapses? This way he can blame Anwar's supporters."

He went on to say, "Mahathir needs a scapegoat to explain why the economy is not doing well. He will now say that Anwar's supporters sabotaged the economy by getting trade sanctions imposed on Malaysia. This would be very convenient. Mahathir fails but Anwar gets the blame."

FAC News will be watching very closely developments in Malaysia over these next few weeks. Will Malaysia's economy hold? Will Anwar's supporters be blamed if the Malaysian economy collapses? Will the government arrest Anwar's supporters who they blame for "sabotaging" Malaysia's economy? Will they be arrested under "treason against the King"?

Stay tuned to FAC News for updates.